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Critical Dual G5 Purchasing decision
I’m nearing time to purchase a Dual G5. There a couple of things that only other real world FCP editors can tell me about after doing my “homework.”
PCI slots on Dual 2GHz G5 vs PCI-X on other models. Yes I know PCI-X is better faster but in real world terms, what current cards are PCI-X that an editor would need/want? Why I ask, I know PCI-X is the future but I’ve often seen some aspects of computer futures take longer than others. Given the possibility that the next G5 (dual core?) will be more than a speed bump, any current G5 I get may “have to” be updated in less than 2 years. If PCI-X is not useful now to me, I can keep $1000 “liquid” for other purchases.
Graphics card. How important is the difference between the standard Radeon 9600/9650 vs GeForce 6800? I’m sure the 6800 may make Motion “smoke” BUT will it have any affect on FCP rendering/realtime or Compressor MEPG2 encoding? Apple’s handing much more off to the graphics card in general but if it’s primarily for Motion, I can consider adding on a faster card later (and at a lower price than as an Apple build?) since my clients currently don’t demand heavy motion graphics. Fast MPEG2 encoding, on the other hand, is important to me.
Thanks in advance for all your suggestions. I may be asking but I’m sure a score of others face the same questions so this thread could be very helpful beyond the “get the fastest you can afford.” My own experience with computer purchases informs me to “get what you NEED NOW because you’ll have to replace the whole thing next year.”
In short what is the potential need now for PCI-X? If one doesn’t do lots of motion graphcis, what is the need now for Ge6800 over Radeon 9600/9650?
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13 Replies
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[Craig Seeman] “In short what is the potential need now for PCI-X? “
Hi,
If you are working exclusively with DV I don’t think there is any need.
I think you should as a minimum get a Dual G5 with 8 RAM slots. A lot of these models have PCI-X. If you watch the Apple Special Deals section you can get a good price on a refurb (full waranty) G5. You can also check local Apple stores for demo (full waranty) units.
Best Wishes,
Mitch
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I think I read that the newest dual 2.0 will not be able to use HD cards. I am not sure if I remeber this correctly???
Shawn Bockoven
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I surmise from Mitch’s and your comments that the HD cards (Decklink, Kona, AJA?) require a PCI-X slot.
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Look to see if you can get any of the original G5 Dual 2.0’s. They were $1,894 a few weeks ago and Slot 4 is a PCI-X slot in there. Search the usual places like macmall, clubmac, etc…. That’s what I did the day the new machines were announced. At first I was excited about the new machines, but when I looked more closely, they’re really not that exciting. So I purchase the original 2.0 with a 20″ Cinema Display for less than the Dual 2.7.
I’m hoping Dual Core machines may be here by the end of the year which should add some serious horsepower to renders and the like.
If Motion is not that important to you, the stock graphics card will work fine. Although I believe FCP 5 makes more use of the graphics card to help accelerate some functions. Others can comment on this.
Walter Biscardi, Jr.
Creative Genius, Biscardi Creative Media
https://www.biscardicreative.comNow in Production, “The Rough Cut,” https://www.theroughcutmovie.com
“I reject your reality and substitute my own!” – Adam Savage, Mythbusters
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Hi Walter,
I just bought the “old” Dual 2 Ghz used for $1600 from an online ad. I have also heard that the two HD cards selling now need the PCI-X slot — so the older model is superior.
Did you say that this model only has ONE PCI-X slot? Is that normal? Do any of those SATA RAID cards need the PCI-X too? I thought I was getting in at ground level for a near-future HD editing work station.
-Christopher
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craig, if you can wait another week until wwdc, at least see if stve will make any new announcements:
macosrumors.com: “Apple’s first quad-processor Mac won’t be a PowerMac, or an Xserve; it will be an all-new product line, the long-rumored “Xstation” according to sources. Dual-processor Powerbooks and other dual-processor Macs will follow the introduction of this new machine which could come as soon as Apple’s World Wide Developer’s Conference early next month.”
if not, check out expercom.com…they have the dual 2.0 w/ pci-x and 8GB expandable memory for $1999. this includes applecare so you can look at it like you’re getting it for $1799 since applecare costs around $199. you also get free shipping and no tax unless you live in utah.
https://www.expercom.com/product_detail.html?PRODUCT_ID=279291
they also have one for $1899 which includes 512MB ram free instead of applecare.
https://www.expercom.com/product_detail.html?PRODUCT_ID=279288
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Hi Craig,
I’m pretty sure the Decklink HD card requires PCI-X. The other potential use for PCI-X would be a card for a fast SATA array. Neither of these is required for DV.
Getting a discontinued model as a refurb is excellent advice. Then replace it with another refurb in 12 to 24 month’s. Macs hold their value so well that if you purchase a refurb of a discontinued model you can replace it with another refurb for a minimal outlay. In November I sold my DP867 on Ebay (very nice add with nice pictures) for $1,400 and bought a DP 1.8 refurb for $1,800.
Best Wishes,
Mitch
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[jaser] “craig, if you can wait another week until wwdc, at least see if stve will make any new announcements:
“Yup, aware of it and plan on waiting. My hunch is that the new machines at January Macworld will be a major change. That’s why I’m thinking cheap.
My concern about PCI vs PCI-X is that I am thinking that a year down the road I might be dealing with DVCProHD (HDCAM not likely though) but the Panasonic DVCProHD deck doesn’t tax the system though as it’s only 4 times DV25 (DV100) and can use firewire. Although a few of my clients hand me BetaSP, they don’t want to pay the price for component and RAID uncompressed so I end up dubbing to DVCAM. I’ll probably get DVCProHD before I get DigiBeta.
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[Christopher S. Johnson] “I just bought the “old” Dual 2 Ghz used for $1600 from an online ad. I have also heard that the two HD cards selling now need the PCI-X slot — so the older model is superior.
Did you say that this model only has ONE PCI-X slot?”
No, the two cards do not NEED the PCI-X Slot. My Kona 2 is running in Slot 3 which is the non-PCI-X slot. I have my Fibrechannel card in Slot 4. The Kona 2 will operate in pretty much any slot. AJA actually recommends the Fibre card going into Slot 4 for the fastest data throughput.
At one time the Decklink HD Pro required Slot 4 to run HD, not sure if that still applies, you’ll need to check over in the Decklink forum.
The thing about the older model is the 8 slots for RAM vs. 4 on the newer model.
Walter Biscardi, Jr.
Creative Genius, Biscardi Creative Media
https://www.biscardicreative.comNow in Production, “The Rough Cut,” https://www.theroughcutmovie.com
“I reject your reality and substitute my own!” – Adam Savage, Mythbusters
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Apple’s first quad-processor Mac won’t be a PowerMac, or an Xserve; >>>>>
Thats what I’ve been telling some of my buddies, just to hold off. That dual core computer is probably going to set us back 4 or 5 grand but it should be 2 to 3 times faster than current models. I’ve got my fingers crossed for the xstation. June 6th is just around the corner so just hang in there a little bit longer.
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